Vic Sotto hates insult comedy.
He said so during a recent zoom con.
He said: “Making people laugh is a healthy thing for me. Lalo na ngayon na marami tayong kinakaharap. So, all types of comedy approve ako diyan. Sa akin, huwag ka lang nananapak ng tao, ‘wag mong gawing katatawanan ang diperensya ng mga tao..”
Vic didn’t names names but the most obvious purveyor of the genre is, of course, Vice Ganda.
Note that Vice even got into hot water poking fun at newscaster Jessica Soho’s weight at one point.
But, of course, this doesn’t mean that Vic is trying to start a word war with Vice.
He doesn’t need it.
At 67, Vic is considered an icon of comedy.
He has numerous awards to show for it.
But he is not resting on his laurels.
According to Vic, he is perpetually "challenged" to do good work, noting he owes it to his followers.
“Hindi nawawala yung challenge para sa akin. Kasi, I think, kapag wala nang challenge e, mag-retire ka na. Ako, I consider every project a challenge, mapa-pelikula o telebisyon. It’s a never ending thing for me as actor, producer. Yun ang nagsisilbing gasolina ko, it helps me move forward.”
He makes sure that he delivers the goods all the time and in whatever project.
He cites his work on his show "Daddy's Gurl," which is now on its third season.
"Being a co producer (of the show) with GMA, I have to be involved. Hindi ako yung pupunta sa set at magso-shoot na lang. I’m very much hands on. I am involved in everything relating to the show. But of course, most of the dirty work kay Direk Chris (Martinez) at sa staff ng M-Zet (his production company). Pero siyempre lahat dumadaan sa akin, they get my approval.”
Despite his success, Vic still worries if he is hitting his target.
His gauge?
"Una yung tao sa paligid, staff and crew, the rest of the production and, of course, after that the reaction of the viewing audience, which I gleam through the ratings."
Vic said the future of local comedy is in good hands, praising the new batch of comedians for developing the genre, allowing for a wide array of fresh, new styles.
“Lahat sila may sariling galing e, everyone has their own style, which I respect. Respetado ko lahat ang mga ‘yan,” he said.
He then zeroed in on Wally Bayola and Betong Sumaya as among standouts.
“Si Wally magaling sa stand up comedy ‘yan. Magaling din siya sa character comedy, 'Yung mag-create ng nakakatuwang identity. At si Betong. Matagal ko nang sinusundan career niyan...Actually saludo ako sa lahat ng mga comic natin ngayon. Everybody is doing a good job.”